TAKING THE KIDS OUT: DADS TALK CLIMBING

Words by Tom O’Halloran, Brendon Flanagan and Macciza Macpherson

The camaraderie of the crag is a highlight of many a climbing day out, connecting with our chums as we cheer each other on. But it’s not just our buddies we bond with; it’s family too. In honour of the upcoming Hallmark holiday of Fathers’ Day, we reached out to some of our favourite crag dads to hear why they love climbing with their little ones.

BRENDON FLANAGAN, MANAGER AT THE AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL OF MOUNTAINEERING, AND HIS DAUGHTER ALEXANDRA (8)

Alexandra was six months old when we started going to the climbing gym as an alternative to the park. A stimulating environment with upbeat music, padded mats, ropes, colourful holds and, of course, people climbing. Okay, yes, we were there for me as well. With climbing temporarily placed on the back burner when she was born, our visits allowed me to return and see my climbing buddies whilst introducing Alexandra to a very special place.

Alexandra would crawl and bum shuffle to her heart’s content, bright lights shining on the wall highlighting a world of wonder. I’d follow her around, completely captivated by her own captivation. I wanted her to fall in love with climbing, but I had to be mindful not to force it on her. It had to happen naturally, like it did with me. I continuously reminded myself that I was nurturing the most important climbing partner I would ever have.

The time arrived, and I took Alexandra to buy her first harness. I think she may have been just as excited as I was. Eventually, she got shoes and a helmet before I introduced her to my favourite crag, Mt Alexandra. Before you say anything, we named her Alexandra because it’s my wife’s middle name!

My most memorable climb was at this crag as Alexandra and I top-roped on adjacent routes. We both stopped halfway up where I traversed over and gave her a kiss. Someone captured this moment, and I often find myself looking at this photo.

As I’d hoped, Alexandra fell in love with climbing, and we regularly daydream about our first multi-pitch. I have, however, become increasingly aware of a particular challenge she could face. A number of female climbers I know have shared personal experiences about a lack of equality within our community—instances of subtle, and notso-subtle, sexism.

Being a doting father, I find myself in a fortunate position to contribute to change by creating future role models. As the Sydney manager for the Australian School of Mountaineering, I reach out to female climbers, offering opportunities to become rock climbing instructors. It’s exciting to see more women now wearing the yellow shirt of an ASM instructor, but it’s even more exciting to see my daughter climb with them.